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Ridge line for JRB Bridge

I recently received my bridge hammock and would like to set a ridge line so that I might hang some of my gear off of the ground (I hate the idea of bugs/water infiltrating), but I'm not sure at all what I'm doing. It's not structural, and I'm not looking to hang any more than what's outside of my pack at night (cookset, boots, water, etc).

I was thinking of simply running some line in between the metal rings (the top of the triangle), but I since I am brand spankin' new to hammocking, I'm afraid that I'll upset the cosmos and break something (namely my backside). I'll be using a JRB 11x10 tarp, so, theoretically, the line, nor anything on it, should be exposed to the elements.

1) Is this an okay method?
2) What kind of cord might I use? I have read that 550 para cord, although strong enough, has too much stretch to be used effectively (as in I would run a good chance of having my gear all over me by morn).
3) Is this line, if tied reasonably taut, under so much stress that a 100 pound string of spectra cord would snap? I'll only be attaching ~20 pounds of gear (if that much).
4) Is this a line that I can/should leave attached? Or will I want to retie it every time (perhaps with the use of biners or something).
5) If I do use biners to attach a ridge line, will they have to be load bearing biners? Or will a generic biner work fine?

I recently received my bridge hammock and would like to set a ridge line so that I might hang some of my gear off of the ground (I hate the idea of bugs/water infiltrating), but I'm not sure at all what I'm doing. It's not structural, and I'm not looking to hang any more than what's outside of my pack at night (cookset, boots, water, etc).

I was thinking of simply running some line in between the metal rings (the top of the triangle), but I since I am brand spankin' new to hammocking, I'm afraid that I'll upset the cosmos and break something (namely my backside). I'll be using a JRB 11x10 tarp, so, theoretically, the line, nor anything on it, should be exposed to the elements.

1) Is this an okay method?
2) What kind of cord might I use? I have read that 550 para cord, although strong enough, has too much stretch to be used effectively (as in I would run a good chance of having my gear all over me by morn).
3) Is this line, if tied reasonably taut, under so much stress that a 100 pound string of spectra cord would snap? I'll only be attaching ~20 pounds of gear (if that much).
4) Is this a line that I can/should leave attached? Or will I want to retie it every time (perhaps with the use of biners or something).
5) If I do use biners to attach a ridge line, will they have to be load bearing biners? Or will a generic biner work fine?

Many thanks in advance.

1)I'd make it a structural ridgeline instead. That's what I did with mine. You'r gear will be fine underneath the hammock covered up or attached to a tree covered up. Do a search here about "how do you hang your gear" etc.........I attach mine between the rings and it is 9.5' long. The length the Jacks recommend the rings to be apart.
2)I use Amsteel 7/64 rope. Liltle overkill in strength but works for me.http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...&ci_sku=147584
3)............
4)I leave mine attached.
5) generic should work well.

I recently received my bridge hammock and would like to set a ridge line so that I might hang some of my gear off of the ground (I hate the idea of bugs/water infiltrating), but I'm not sure at all what I'm doing. It's not structural, and I'm not looking to hang any more than what's outside of my pack at night (cookset, boots, water, etc).

I was thinking of simply running some line in between the metal rings (the top of the triangle), but I since I am brand spankin' new to hammocking, I'm afraid that I'll upset the cosmos and break something (namely my backside). I'll be using a JRB 11x10 tarp, so, theoretically, the line, nor anything on it, should be exposed to the elements.

1) Is this an okay method?
2) What kind of cord might I use? I have read that 550 para cord, although strong enough, has too much stretch to be used effectively (as in I would run a good chance of having my gear all over me by morn).
3) Is this line, if tied reasonably taut, under so much stress that a 100 pound string of spectra cord would snap? I'll only be attaching ~20 pounds of gear (if that much).
4) Is this a line that I can/should leave attached? Or will I want to retie it every time (perhaps with the use of biners or something).
5) If I do use biners to attach a ridge line, will they have to be load bearing biners? Or will a generic biner work fine?

Many thanks in advance.

There is really no risk to the cord if you don't make the ridgeline structural. Whether it is or isn't depends simply on how taut it is. Tautness means it is carrying tension which means that it is structural.

A line that goes from ring to ring and is straight (but not stiffly taut) when the hammock is empty will droop a little when you get into it. I've found it handy to use a fixed ridgeline as a way of finding what the right height and tension ought to be on the suspension lines, by adjusting them so that the ridgeline is just as I described, straight but not under much tension.

I typically use lightweight spectra for the ridgeline, good to 100 or 150 lbs. Way more than enough for this kind of use (but may not be if the ridgeline takes up a lot of tension). Paracord could stretch, but if all the load it is carrying is your spare socks and a cook pan, who cares?

So you can leave the ridgeline on (which could affect packing up a little), or put a cheap non-load bearing biner on one end. If you take it off, then you can adjust the length to be straight but not taut when you hang after you've hung the hammock.

Just keep the tension off that ridgeline, and it becomes a clothesline.

But there is nothing wrong with a structural ridgeline, used properly. Use high test cord like FF suggests. If you make it removeable use a weight-rated biner. I saw ones rated to 150 lbs in Home Depot tonight, about $1. That should suffice.

A RL is fine regardless, but what about using the spreader bars for hanging stuff off of each end, to keep stuff off the ground? Isn't it designed for that use?

Originally Posted by clwilla

I recently received my bridge hammock and would like to set a ridge line so that I might hang some of my gear off of the ground (I hate the idea of bugs/water infiltrating), but I'm not sure at all what I'm doing. It's not structural, and I'm not looking to hang any more than what's outside of my pack at night (cookset, boots, water, etc).

I was thinking of simply running some line in between the metal rings (the top of the triangle), but I since I am brand spankin' new to hammocking, I'm afraid that I'll upset the cosmos and break something (namely my backside). I'll be using a JRB 11x10 tarp, so, theoretically, the line, nor anything on it, should be exposed to the elements.

1) Is this an okay method?
2) What kind of cord might I use? I have read that 550 para cord, although strong enough, has too much stretch to be used effectively (as in I would run a good chance of having my gear all over me by morn).
3) Is this line, if tied reasonably taut, under so much stress that a 100 pound string of spectra cord would snap? I'll only be attaching ~20 pounds of gear (if that much).
4) Is this a line that I can/should leave attached? Or will I want to retie it every time (perhaps with the use of biners or something).
5) If I do use biners to attach a ridge line, will they have to be load bearing biners? Or will a generic biner work fine?

Many thanks in advance.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us....that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.
Romans 8:18,21-22

...but what about using the spreader bars for hanging stuff off of each end, to keep stuff off the ground? Isn't it designed for that use?

I concur. In the following image from JRB's site(two, actually) it shows hanging both pack and gear from the spreader bars. I never got around to trying that when I had my BMBH, but on the trail it seems ideal. The pictured use does assume that you have a tarp with ample coverage on the ends to prevent rain from blowing in.

“I think that when the lies are all told and forgot the truth will be there yet. It dont move about from place to place and it dont change from time to time. You cant corrupt it any more than you can salt salt.” - Cormac McCarthy

A RL is fine regardless, but what about using the spreader bars for hanging stuff off of each end, to keep stuff off the ground? Isn't it designed for that use?

I'm under the impression that any significant lateral force on the spreader bars is a really bad idea because of the compression force on them when lying in the hammock (I.e., they can bend - at least the warning not to put any weight on them while lying in the hammock which comes with the hammock says so). Although, someone with some actual experience, rather than my theorization based off of my poor understanding physics, might know better.

“I think that when the lies are all told and forgot the truth will be there yet. It dont move about from place to place and it dont change from time to time. You cant corrupt it any more than you can salt salt.” - Cormac McCarthy

I concur. In the following image from JRB's site(two, actually) it shows hanging both pack and gear from the spreader bars. I never got around to trying that when I had my BMBH, but on the trail it seems ideal. The pictured use does assume that you have a tarp with ample coverage on the ends to prevent rain from blowing in.

It appears that the first picture, the one with the gear hammock, doesn't actually have anything attached to the bars themselves, but the rings to which the bars attach. The 2nd pic, however, most definitely shows the pack hanging off of the spreader bars. Thanks. I've poured over the JRB site multiple times over the last week or so; I can't believe that I didn't see that myself. I'd likely simply hang the pack from the ring which holds the suspension to the tree with a biner rather than

I'm still interested in the [I]idea[I] of hanging gear from a ridge line. It just seems so much more convenient to get at oft used night items (water, light, etc) thank having to dig through a pack. I suppose a hefty set of trial and error is in my near future.

“I think that when the lies are all told and forgot the truth will be there yet. It dont move about from place to place and it dont change from time to time. You cant corrupt it any more than you can salt salt.” - Cormac McCarthy